Title - Women loco pilots brim with confidence

Say that their dreams to get jobs in railways have come true

“My father is a private driver and my dream to get a job in a government department was fulfilled. Now, I can feed my family well and take care of my parents,” said G.V.S. Nalini Kumari, who completed her training for assistant loco pilot at the Electric Traction Training Centre (ETTC).Many girls from poor families who secured jobs in South Central Railway (SCR) expressed confidence of performing their duties perfectly in the locos.Eight women loco pilots completed training at the ETTC here and joined duty recently.

Satisfied lot

Nalini Kumari, a native of Bheemili in Visakhapatnam district, was selected as a loco pilot after she appeared for the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) test.“I completed the diploma in electronics and communication engineering (ECE) and appeared for RRB examination. The encouragement from the staff in the training centre was good,” she said.“I always dreamt of working in a government department and succeeded in getting the job in SCR. My father, Surendra Pandit, is a medical practitioner. After Intermediate, I completed ITI in electronics at Gaya and applied for RRB,” recalled Seema, a native of Bihar. She said the profession is good and women can take it up confidently.

Childhood ambition

“My father, late Mauki Kerai, was a loco pilot. When I was a kid, I used to go along with my father to the railway station and request him to take me into the engine cabin. Now, I am happy that I got the same job and my ambition to land in a Central Government department was fulfilled,” said another loco pilot, K. Reena, of Odisha.Likewise, P. Lavanya, whose father is a labourer in Rajahmundry, B. Hymavathi of Kakinada, Ch. Sirisha of Mangalagiri and G. Sirisha of Visakhapatnam completed training at ETTC.

Girls praised

Vijayawada Divisional Railway Manager Pradeep Kumar praised the girls for taking up the job, which was dominated by men.South Central Railway Women’s Welfare Organisation (SCRWWO) President Preeti Awasthi said the SCR should make separate arrangements for women pilots in the organisation.

Eight women loco pilots complete training at ETTC and join duty recently

Happy over encouragement from the staff at the training centre

The selected girls hail from diverse backgrounds

They say their dreams to get jobs in railways have come true